Welcome to my Creative Corner. I am currently a designer on three design teams for Elizabeth Craft Designs. I love to spend my spare time designing cards and especially enjoy creating beautiful flowers out of card stock. I love sharing my work and tutorials with you and really appreciate you taking time to visit my blog. Hope I can inspire you to create something beautiful.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Today is the Center Stage Spotlight Design Team farwell tour. We are all previewing the new "Buy 3 get one free" set from Gina K Designs.When you purchase any three stamp sets, you will receive "Many Wishes" FREE. It has been so much fun designing with this team this month. Thank you Gina for this awesome opportunity.

For this card I used Gina's new Luxury Soft Sand as well as her Black Onyx Pure Luxury cardstock. The background piece is a piece of Gina's "free download" Summer Fabrics Digi papers. The Many Wishes stamp was gold embossed on the Luxury Soft Sand card stock then cut out with the Long Rectangle Nestabilities. The verse is also from that beautiful set. The Wishing You was cut using the Petite Oval Nestabilities. Three black rhinestones were added to finish the card.

For this card I decided to use bleach to stamp the design on Pacific Point card stock and cut out the frames with Nestabilities. The back frame is Certainly Celery card stock. The background paper is from a Basic Grey paper pack. The Flourish is a Sizzix die. The middle border is a Martha Stewart punch.

There are so many possibilities with this beautiful FREE stamp set.

Be sure to check out the other Spotlight Design Team's cards. Their blogs are listed at the top of my sidebar.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

This is a quick and simple card made with one of the stamps out of the new Showtime Stamp Kit"Eclectic Summer" by Gina K Designs. I love this little basket of flowers. I made this card for a challenge Lee Murphy was hosting at Gina's Preview Party last Thursday. The challenge was to use brown and pink.

The image was stamped on Gina's Pure Luxury White Card Stock with Black Memento ink. Copic markers were used to color and Stickles was added to each of the flower centers to give it a little sparkle. The card stock colors used on this card are Chocolate Chip and Pixie Pink. The three frames were cut using Oval Nestabilities. Two Cuttlebug die cut corners were added as well as a couple of pink pearls to finish it off.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

This is my first card using the fish from the new Gina K Showtime Stamp Kit"Eclectic Summer". Aren't they cute. They were stamped on Glossy cardstock with VersaFine black ink and clear embossed. I used sponge daubers to add Brilliant Blue, So Saffron and Apricot Appel inks. The designer papers are from the kit. The Brilliant Blue background was embossed with the Cuttlebug Spots and Dots folder. I thought it matched the designer paper really well. The Only Orange cardstock was embossed with the Swirls embossing folder. This layout is one Theresa Momber used for the Sketch Challenge on Gina's Party over on SCS Thursday evening. A few rhinestones were used to complete the card.

Friday, June 26, 2009

These are two more cards I made with my preview set "The Journey". The truck was stamped with Black Memento black ink then watercolored using Peerless Watercolors then cut out. The scene was created by masking and sponging on the clouds, road, and grass. The grass stamp from the set was then used as well as one of the trees from Gina's "Tree Silhouettes" added in the background. The frames were cut out using Label I Nestabilities and the verse is also cut out with a Nestabilities tag.

The door was stamped with Black Memento ink and colored using colored pencils and OMS. The frames were then cut with the Classic Rectangle Nestabilities. For the background, I used a piece of Gina's new Pure Luxury Heavy Base Weight "Soft Sand" card stock and layered a piece of designer paper on the lower portion. The border across the middle was cut using a Martha Stewart border punch then embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder. Black brads, also from Gina K Designs, were used to complete the card.

I hope you have had time to go to GinaK Designs and check out all the new stamp sets. Link is on my sidebar. Thanks for visiting my blog.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

This is day three of the Gina K Design June Release. Two more new sets are being previewed so I know you will want to check them all out. I am very excited to be a part of the Center Stage Spotlight Design team this month. The set I am previewing is "The Journey" by Asela Hopkins. She always designs such fabulous sets. This set has a total of 12 coordinating images and greetings. I couldn't decide which card to preview, so I am previewing two today.

My first card uses two of the images from this set. The door was stamped, using black Memento ink on Gina's Pure Luxury White card stock. I used Copic markers and chalk to color. Label Four Nestabilities was used to cut a frame in a piece of Sage Shadow cardstock. The verse, which is part of this set, was stamped in black at the top. The children were stamped and colored with Copic Markers then cut out. The grass from this set was stamped on the bottom below the frame. The frame is on dimensionals and placed over the door. The children were place on the outside to appear approaching the friends house. A piece of Basic Grey designer paper was placed on the left side of the card then a piece of paper lace used along the side of the frame. To finish the card, flowers were added as well as some pearls. Now, for the next card.

My second card is also from this set. The chair and verse were embossed with Detail White embossing powder, which is available from Gina. Baja Breeze and white card stock were used for the frames cut with Petite Oval Nestabilities.The flower is also from Gina K Designs and was colored with reinkers. Small rhinestones were added for a little bling.

Don't miss the rest of the previews by Gina and the other Design Team members. Pam Imholz, another Center Stage Spotlight Designer, is also previewing a beautiful set. Be sure to visit each of the following blogs.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

I am so excited to join Gina and her Design Team in the June Blog Hop. It has been so much fun to be on the Center Stage Spotlight Designer Team. I will be previewing another new set by Asela tomorrow, so be sure to check back to see this beautiful set.

Melanie asked me to be her guest designer when her new, "Arranged with Love" set came out. I was so honored to have her ask me. One of my favorite stamp sets is Melanie's "A Year of Flowers" and this new set is an awesome addition using the same flowers.

This new stamp will fit an A-2 size card. It is perfect for making beautiful cards, decorating gift boxes, covering tablets and or journals. There are so many possibilities. This set comes with 10 coordinating greetings.

The image on this cover is embossed with detail black embossing powder on Gina's Pure Luxury White card stock. The design was colored with Peerless Watercolors, also available from Gina K Designs. I stamped one additional rose, from "A Year of Flowers", to pop up on the top rose. The back white panel was embossed with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder.The second layer is Rose Red card stock. A lace border was added at the top. I finished this cover by adding a large bow, silver heart and flat backed pearls. Isn't this a gorgeous stamp set!

There are a lot more previews for the two new sets revealed today. Be sure to check out all the Design Team's Blogs below.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Another card made with "A Year of Flowers". The roses were colored with Prisma colored pencils and OMS. The background papers are from a SU designer paper pack. Petite Oval Nestibilities were used for the frames. A Martha Stewart punch was used for the border. A pearl charm was added to the upper left corner and flat back pearls were added to finish off the design.

Gina from GinaK Designs revealed some new products she will be have in her store. Be sure to check out her blog. One of the new products is a beautiful cardstock you won't want to miss.

THE PREVIEWS BEGIN TOMORROW . . . Gina and her Design team will begin posting cards/projects made with the new June Release stamp sets. On Wednesday, as part of the Center Stage Spotlight Design Team, I will start posting cards I have made with some of the new sets. Be sure to check back. (There are links to all the Design Team Members on the sidebar of my blog.)

Sunday, June 21, 2009

This is another card for Melanie's Blog Hop. The flower is from her "A Year Of Flowers" set available from GinaK Designs. The verse is from Gina's Elegant Flowers set. The flowers were black embossed with Detail Black embossing powder on Lovely Lilac cardstock. The leaves were stamped and colored with sponge daubers and Certainly Celery ink. The background is from a SU designer paper pad. The frames were cut using Label Four Nestabilities. A small Certainly Celery sheer ribbon and green pearls were added to complete the card.

Friday, June 19, 2009

I had a hard time photographing this card because it is so pastel. This card is made with the tulip stamp from Melanie's "A Year of Flowers" available from GinaK Designs. The flowers and basket were embossed on glossy card stock using Detail White embossing powder. I love how it gives the tulips a "dainty" look. Sponge daubers were used to color the flowers. The leaves and stems were stamped with Certainly Celery ink on Certainly Celery card stock. Petite Oval Nestabilities were used to cut the frames. The white frame was scored with my Scor Pal then sponged with Sahara Sand ink. The background papers are a combination of designer papers from Basic Grey and SU. A Cuttlebug die border was used on the bottom with small flat back pearls added. Three larger pearls were added to complete the card.

If you like to make cards with flowers, "A Year of Flowers" by Melanie is a must!!! For this card I used the Tiger Lilly stamp. The flowers were stamped on glossy cardstock using black ink, then colored using small sponge daubers. When using sponge daubers, you get a quick smooth coverage. The leaves were stamped with black ink on Always Artichoke cardstock then cut out. A Martha Stewart punch was used for the rust colored leaves. Long Rectangle Nestabilities were used for the frame. The top portion is So Saffron and the scalloped piece is Really Rust. The background paper is something I have had for a long time. The frames and flowers are on dimensionals. The jewels were purhased from Michaels.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Donna is hosting the Monthly 3-D Challenge on StampTV this month. The challenge is to alter a recycled package. I decided to cover an empty frosting can to create a pretty pencil holder. I used Melanie's "A Year of Flowers". I stamped the flowers on glossy card stock and used sponge daubers to color. The background piece is Chocolate Chip card stock embossed with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder. Two different Martha Stewart punches were used for the borders on top and bottom. A piece of green trim was added along the bottom. The sunflowers are put on dimensionals.

You have until the end of the month to create something for this challenge and have a chance to win any GinaK stamp set valued at $24.95 or less. Hope you will join the fun.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

I am still working with Melanie's "A Year of Flowers" set. These flowers were black embossed on Real Red card stock then cut out. I cut between each of the petals and curled each petal. The background was created by first embossing a piece of white card stock in the Quickutz, Vine Label, embossing folder then both the top and the bottom were embossed with the Cuttlebug dotted Swiss embossing folder. The leaves were colored using reinkers. A piece of lace/ribbon was put across the label portion of the Vine Label. There are so many possibilities when working with the "A Year of Flowers" set available from GinaK.

I have many cards in my Gallery at StampTV made with "A Year of Flowers". You can see them by clicking on the "My Card Gallery on StampTV" icon in the right Column.

This yellow rose is from Melanie's set "A Year of Flowers" by GinaK Designs. It was colored with Koh-I-Noor pencils and OMS. The background paper is from Basic Grey's Porcelain Paper Pad. The yellow background paper on the top is a a small piece of designer paper from my scrap box. The center band was created with a Martha Stewart Punch. Petite Oval Nestabilities was used to create the frame and the white piece was embossed with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder. Small flat back pearls were added for accents.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

I think I could make cards all day with this set. Here is another one I made as soon as I finished the Red Roses card below. It is also made with the "Year of Flowers" set from GinaK. The roses were colored with colored pencils and OMS. The top designer paper is from Basic Grey and the bottom is a piece of Certainly Celery cardstock embossed with a Cuttlebug folder. A Martha Stewart punch was used for the fern type leaves and a couple of flat backed Apricot pearls added to the top.

Just a quick and easy card using one of my favorite stamp sets. This card was made using the rose from "A Year of Flowers" available from GinaK Designs. The roses were colored using colored pencils and OMS. The Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder was used to emboss the background and a Martha Stewart punch was used for the center border. The border along the bottom is a Cuttlebug embossing border. A Martha Stewart punch was used to add the little fern leaves. Two flat back red pearls were added to the top corners.

This set was designed by Melanie Muenchinger for GinaK Designs. The name of the set is "Sporty Accessories". It contains 28 coordinating images and greetings. It was released just a few weeks ago and I have been anxious to make this card. I have two little grandsons who are always on the championship baseball team and I thought this would make a really cute card to send to them.

The card colors are Brilliant Blue and Real Red. Markers were used to color the larger stars. I used reinkers to color the ball and the shoes. Long rectangle Nestabilities were used for the frame. The blue bottom background piece was embossed with the HoundstoothCuttlebug folder and the top piece was from my scrap designer papers. The center border was stamped using another new set from GinaK called "Ribbon Stripes". There are six different stripes in this set and the stars worked perfect for this card. The larger stars, ball and shoes are on dimensionals as well as the frame. The words on the card are part of the Sporty Accessories set.

Monday, June 15, 2009

I have missed a few days posting to my blog because I have had a great friend visiting. We could spend all our time stamping but were trying to fit lots of other things too, such as touring this area of the country she has not been to, cooking, and just visiting. She loves to learn new things about stamping so had lots of things she wanted me to show her. We always have so much fun when we get together. Late last night, (I mean really late for me, it as midnight,) she was going through my tray of completed cards and she found the above card and fell in love with it. She really wanted to make one similar to it so we stayed up until she could completed one. She is very creative and made a lot of other very beautiful cards including one using Flower Soft that she fell in love with.

The above card is one I wasn't sure I liked, but since she loved it so much, I decided to post it today.

The stamp set used was Upsy Daisy from Stampin' Up!. Markers were used to color the image on the solid stamp. Two different shades of lavender was used on the flowers and Garden Green was used on the stems. The image was cut out using Classic Rectangle Nestabilities. The bottom of the card was created using a rubber band ball rubbed on Lavender Lace stamp pad then pounced on the card stock. The upper half of the card was embossed with the swirls Cuttlebug embossing folder and a Martha Stewart punch used for the border across the middle. The "Thanks" was stamped then cut with a Petite Circle Nestie and sponged prior to taking it out of the die. I love these Kaiser lavender flat back pearls purchased from Joan Fricker (Joan's Gardens).

Friday, June 12, 2009

Hope you will come participate in my first StampTV challenge. As one of the Center Stage Spotlight Designers, I get to host the Potluck Friday Challenge. I hope you will join in on the fun. I will do a random drawing next Friday and someone will win any GinaK stamp set valued at $24.95 or less.

For my challenge, I thought it would be fun to see how creative you can be making a cover for a small tablet or any size Post-It Note pad. For my sample I covered a small tablet. I used a piece of PurleyPomegranitecard stock for my cover and used my ScorPal to score the folds. The design is a stamp from the new Showtime Stamp Kit, Eclectic Summer, by GinaK Designs. I stamped the design with black ink and used reinkers to color. I used the gold Copic glitter pen on the bands of the basket. The design and scalloped layers was cut out using Petite oval Nestabilities. I used a piercing tool on the white scalloped layer. A corner punch was used on the top flap of the cover then a white piece of card stock attached along the edge. Three large flat backed pearls were added and a small ribbon finished it off. On the inside I added a Basic Grey Magnetic Snap, available from GinaK Designs.

I hope you will join in on my challenge. Just click on the StampTV challenge icon in my sidebar and go the the Potluck Friday Challenge.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

This card was made for Melissa's Sketch Challenge on StampTV. The stamp set is Rupa's"My Cuppa Joe" available from GinaK Designs. There are 21 coordinating images and greetings in this set. So many possibilities!

The three images were stamped then colored with Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise, and So Saffron reinkers. I picked the colors up from the designer paper. A little bit of glitter was added to the cupcakes. Square Nestabilities were used for the three frames and a petite circle Nestie used for the salutation. The designer paper is retired from SU. Turquoise rhinestones and ribbon were added as part of the sketch design.

Hope you check out the challenges on StampTV. There are five fun challenges a week. A random drawing is held to select the winner. You get to select any stamp set valued up to $24.95 from GinaK's store.

Monday, June 8, 2009

This beautiful basket of flowers is from the new Showtime Stamp Kit"Eclectic Summer" from GinaK Designs. The flowers were colored with an Almost Amethyst marker and the basket and leaves were colored with Prisma pencils and OMS. The cardstock color is Almost Amethyst. Petite Nestabilities were used for the frames. Two different sizes were used for the scalloped frames and a piercing tool was used to make the holes in each scallop. The Quickutz Vine Label embossing folder was used for the background. A piece of amethyst dotted swiss grosgrain ribbon was placed across the label section of the embossing. The flat backed white pearls were added to the flower centers and larger ones on the background. These pearls were purchased from Joan Fricker at "Joan's Gardens".

Last week I showed you the area where I do my stamping. This picture shows the entire area I work in. It is not fancy, but it works for me.

This picture is a better view of the area I use my Cuttlebug/BigShot, my ScorPal, and my larger paper cutter.

I told you I have a filing system for my Nestabilities and embossing folders that I love. I have tried several ways to store Nestabilities but I am the kind of person that likes things right at my finger tips so when I get an idea, I can just reach and get started with my idea. I tried storing my Nestabilities in CD cases but did not find that satisfactory, so I knew I had to dream up a system I would be happy with.

Below is a close up picture of how my Nestabilities and embossing folders are stored. They are all in a long wire basket which is very easy to flip through. It is so quick and easy to find what I need. There is also a small basket with quarter sheets of cardstock ready to use. I have both a Big Shot and a Cuttlebug. I started with the Cuttlebug, which I love, but because I broke my hand last fall, I decided to purchase a Big Shot because it is sturdier and easier to use with one hand.

This is a close-up of my Nestabilities storage system.

What made me decide that I wanted to store my Nestabilities this way is because, as many of you know, I love to use embossing folders, a lot, and I had them stored in that wire basket. I thought that would also be a perfect system for my Nestabilities. I had my husband go with me to Home Depot to purchase a piece Plexiglas. It comes in many different larger sizes. We also purchased some packages of magnetic vent covers. I had him cut the Plexiglas the same width as the embossing folders but a little longer so I could add a label on top. I cut the magnetic sheets the same size as my embossing folders on my larger Carl paper cutter. They were attached with two strips of ScorTape.

With this filing system, it is easy to flip through and find the set you are looking for. I used a labeling machine for the labels.

You can pull a set out so you can measure and decide which die to use for the next layer.

Since I like everything close, I have my Cuttlebug embossing folders filed behind my Nestabilities. In case you are wondering, these are not my hands. My granddaughter loves to come over and stamp and when she came over to make a card, I asked her to help me so I could take pictures.

This shows a picture of the Cuttlebug embossing folders which are behind the Nestabilities. There are also a few of the Quickutz embossing folders in there. The drawers behind the Nestabilities storeage holds all the smaller Cuttlebug embossing folders, dies, and Cuttlebug supplies.

My system for storing my Nestabilities is just something I "dreamed" up but it works really well for me. My husband didn't think it was such a fun project having to cut all that Plexiglas but he knew how excited I was to develop this filing system. I am so happy he helped me with it.

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SELMA STEVENSON

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I am so happy you stopped by to visit my creative corner. I love to share my creations with you and hope they give you some inspiration. I would love for you to take a moment and leave a comment to let me know what you think. If you enjoy my work, I would also like for you to sign up as a Follower. It is fun to see who my followers are. I always look forward to reading your comments. Thanks for stopping by.